Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to make 2.00 g of precipitate by combining two ionic compounds. You will need to find a double replacement reaction that produces a precipitate. The precipitate can be isolated by filtration.
Procedure:
- Choose two reactants from the list of chemicals. Write an equation for the reaction in words. Rewrite the equation using chemical symbols. Balance the equation.
- Use a solubility table to determine whether the products are soluble or insoluble. Label soluble substances as (aq). Insoluble substances are labeled as solid (s).
- Use stoichiometry to determine how much of each reactant is needed to create 2.00 g of the insoluble product.
- Plan a procedure for creating and isolating 2.00 g of precipitate. You will have two class periods to complete the experiment. Be sure to conduct multiple trials to get as accurate a result as possible.
Materials:
- calcium acetate monohydrate
- calcium chloride
- magnesium sulfate heptahydrate
- potassium carbonate
- sodium carbonate
- zinc sulfate heptahydrate
Data Analysis: Be sure to show all calculations.
You and your partner will be given two class periods to write a formal lab report.
- Show the balanced chemical equation for the reaction you have chosen.
- Show both of the mass-mass problems.
- Calculate the % yield for each trial.
- Calculate the average yield.
Conclusion:
- State your findings for each trial and report the average yield.
- Address the hypothesis. Was it valid?
- What errors could have occurred that would help explain your results?
- What improvements could be made to the experiment?